Confusion on board the Beagle at definite prospect of sailing. Gives directions for sending mail to Montevideo.

Transcription

Devonport

December 3rd

My dear Henslow

It is now late in the evening, & to night I am going to sleep on
board.— On Monday we most certainly sail, so you may guess in what a desperate
state of confusion we are all in.— If you were to hear the various
exclamations of the officers, you would suppose we had scarcely had a weeks
notice.— I am just in the same way, taken all aback; & in
such a bustle I hardly know what to do.— The number of things to be done is
infinite. I look forward even to sea sickness with something like satisfaction, anything
must be better than this state of anxiety.— I am very much obliged for your
last kind & affectionate letter.— I always like advice from you;
& no one whom I have the luck to know, is more capable of giving it than
yourself.—

Recollect, when you write, that I am a sort of protegé of yours, &
that it is your bounden duty to lecture me.— I will now give you my direction:
it is, at first, Rio; but, if you will send me letter on first Tuesday (when packet
sails) in February, directed to Monte Video, it will give me very great pleasure. I
shall so much enjoy hearing a little Cambridge news.— Poor dear old Alma
Mater. I am a very worthy son in as far as affection goes.— I have little more
to write about. I shall be very glad to have some memorial of Ramsay.— My very
short acquaintance with him appears like a dream,—which has left many
melancholy yet pleasant recollections.—

I cannot end this without telling you h<ow> cordially I feel grateful for
the kindness you have shown me during my Cambridge life.— Much of the pleasure
& utility which I may have derived from it is owing to you.— I long
for the time when we shall again meet; &, till then, believe me, My dear Henslow
| Yours affectionately & obliged friend | Chas. Darwin